Iran FM backs Iraq anti-terrorism efforts

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has expressed the country’s concern over the ongoing insecurity in Iraq, saying Tehran supports Iraq’s measures to counter terrorism and extremism in the region.

In a meeting with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi in Baghdad on Tuesday, the Iranian minister said terrorism is a threat to the entire Middle East.

He added that Iraq’s parliament plays a leading role in strengthening unity in the country and urged Iraqi officials to remain vigilant in the fight against terrorism and extremism and make efforts to eradicate these anti-human phenomena.

The top Iranian diplomat emphasized that the Iraqi officials’ vigilance and their anti-terrorism bids would thwart plots to damage national unity in the country.

Zarif also invited the Iraqi parliament speaker to attend the 9th meeting of the parliament speakers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which is slated to be held in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in February.

He further noted that Iran attaches great significance to bolstering relations with regional countries.

The Iraqi parliament speaker, for his part, said terrorism and extremism threaten the entire region and called on all regional countries to counter them.

Nujaifi also expressed support for Iran’s negotiations with the six world powers – Russia, China, France, Britain, the US and Germany – over Tehran’s nuclear energy program.

The Iranian minister and Iraqi parliament speaker also exchanged views on political efforts to resolve the Syria crisis and the upcoming Geneva II conference on Syria, which is aimed at containing nearly three years of deadly crisis in the country.